How to Manage Pests

Pests in Gardens and Landscapes

Trapping

Monitor adult weevils by placing burlap bags on the ground near the trunk beneath plants or by snugly
wrapping burlap strips around the basal trunk. Once or twice a week gently unwrap trunks or lift burlap
from the ground and inspect underneath for adult weevils that hide there during the day.

Adult weevils can also be captured using a pitfall trap constructed from a several-inches-deep, wide-mouthed
plastic cup or dish and a funnel or smaller tapered cup. Cut off most of the funnel's spout or the bottom
of the smaller cup and insert it snugly into the larger cup with the hole pointed down. A single plastic
cup may be used if the sides are regularly lubricated with oil to prevent the beetles from climbing out.
Bury your trap so its top is flush with, or slightly below, the soil surface. Drill small holes in the
bottom of the cup so that water can drain out. Alternatively, keep irrigation water out by covering each
trap with an inverted gallon pot after first cutting legs into the rim. Bury one or more traps as close
to the trunk as possible beneath the canopy of each of several host plants. Check each trap weekly. If
you find beneficial predaceous carabid beetles, release them as they help to control weevils.

Trap boards can also be placed on the ground beneath plants. Boards may be less effective in trapping
weevils than pitfall or burlap traps are.

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